MFALX vs. DNYMX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MFALX (MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund) and DNYMX (DFA NY Municipal Bond Portfolio) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, MFALX returned 1.72%/yr vs 1.34%/yr for DNYMX. At a 0.42 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. MFALX charges 0.90%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for DNYMX.

Performance

MFALX vs. DNYMX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund (MFALX) and DFA NY Municipal Bond Portfolio (DNYMX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MFALX achieves a 1.88% return, which is significantly higher than DNYMX's 0.98% return. Over the past 10 years, MFALX has outperformed DNYMX with an annualized return of 1.72%, while DNYMX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.34% annualized return.

MFALX

• 1D: 0.21%
• 1M: 0.92%
• YTD: 1.88%
• 6M: 2.17%
• 1Y: 7.99%
• 3Y*: 3.83%
• 5Y*: 0.40%
• 10Y*: 1.72%

DNYMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.20%
• YTD: 0.98%
• 6M: 1.21%
• 1Y: 2.99%
• 3Y*: 2.82%
• 5Y*: 1.59%
• 10Y*: 1.34%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

MFALX vs. DNYMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MFALX MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund	1.88%	4.49%	1.31%	5.87%	-11.27%	1.87%	4.05%	7.24%	1.04%	4.49%
DNYMX DFA NY Municipal Bond Portfolio	0.98%	2.69%	2.87%	2.76%	-1.17%	-0.10%	1.26%	2.42%	1.02%	1.74%

Correlation

The correlation between MFALX and DNYMX is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.30
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.40
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.41
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.42

Over the past year, the correlation between MFALX and DNYMX has dropped to 0.20 - well below their long-term average of 0.42, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

MFALX vs. DNYMX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

MFALX

MFALX Risk / Return Rank: 62
MFALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 67
MFALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
MFALX Omega Ratio Rank: 85
MFALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
MFALX Martin Ratio Rank: 39

DNYMX

DNYMX Risk / Return Rank: 99
DNYMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
DNYMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 99
DNYMX Omega Ratio Rank: 99
DNYMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
DNYMX Martin Ratio Rank: 99

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

MFALX vs. DNYMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund (MFALX) and DFA NY Municipal Bond Portfolio (DNYMX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	MFALX	DNYMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.41	4.63	-2.22
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.74	10.39	-6.65
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.59	4.18	-2.59
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.44	12.55	-10.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	8.45	56.41	-47.95
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MFALX vs. DNYMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MFALX Sharpe Ratio is 2.41, which is lower than the DNYMX Sharpe Ratio of 4.63. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MFALX and DNYMX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MFALX	DNYMX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.41	4.63	-2.22
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.09	1.82	-1.73
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.40	1.28	-0.89
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.21	1.33	-0.12

Drawdowns

MFALX vs. DNYMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MFALX drawdown since its inception was -16.68%, which is greater than DNYMX's maximum drawdown of -3.19%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MFALX and DNYMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MFALX	DNYMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-16.68%	-3.19%	-13.49%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.24%	-0.24%	-3.00%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.01%	-0.98%	-6.03%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.68%	-2.53%	-14.15%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.68%	-3.19%	-13.49%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.34%	0.00%	-0.34%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.95%	-0.42%	-1.53%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.93%	0.05%	+0.88%

Volatility

MFALX vs. DNYMX - Volatility Comparison

MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund (MFALX) has a higher volatility of 1.24% compared to DFA NY Municipal Bond Portfolio (DNYMX) at 0.20%. This indicates that MFALX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than DNYMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MFALX	DNYMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.24%	0.20%	+1.04%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.42%	0.49%	+1.93%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.30%	0.65%	+2.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.61%	0.88%	+3.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.35%	1.05%	+3.30%

MFALX vs. DNYMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MFALX has a 0.90% expense ratio, which is higher than DNYMX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

MFALX vs. DNYMX - Dividend Comparison

MFALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.21%, more than DNYMX's 2.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DNYMX DFA NY Municipal Bond Portfolio	2.65%	2.36%	2.73%	1.92%	0.70%	0.59%	1.06%	1.31%	1.21%	1.04%	1.08%	0.00%
MFALX MFS Alabama Municipal Bond Fund	3.21%	4.22%	2.79%	2.34%	1.62%	1.57%	2.21%	2.92%	3.32%	3.39%	3.59%	3.89%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MFALX and DNYMX in my portfolio?

MFALX and DNYMX have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MFALX or DNYMX?

MFALX has higher volatility (1.24%) compared to DNYMX (0.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MFALX dropped -16.68% vs DNYMX's -3.19%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DNYMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.63 vs 2.41), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.